Academy Showcase: U16s & U18’s conclude tournament

Chivas USA’s U16 squad wrapped up their participation in U.S. Soccer Federation’s 2012 Winter Showcase in Sarasota, Florida Tuesday morning with a 2-2 draw with D.C. United. The young Goats finished the tournament with a 1-1-1 overall record and return to Los Angeles Tuesday evening.

The U16’s kicked off the tournament successfully with a 1-0 win over Chicago Sockers after a goal by Caleb Calvert in the early minutes of the second half. The Chivas USA forward has scored nine goals for the Goats in U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy action, sitting as top team scorer. New England Revolution’s U16 squad handed the young Goats their first loss of the tournament, defeating Chivas 4-2. Jorge Ruiz and Edgar Murillo scored the two goals for the U16 squad.

Meanwhile, Chivas USA’s U18 squad bid farewell to Florida with a 4-3 victory over D.C. United on Monday afternoon. The U18’s also finished the tournament with an overall record of 1-1-1. The young Goats kicked off the tournament with a 2-2 draw over Chicago Sockers last Friday. In their second match, the LA team wasn’t as lucky as they fell 2-1 to New England Revolution’s U18 squad, with the only goal for Chivas coming from midfielder Ever de la Torre in the final minute of the match. In their final match of the tournament, a hat trick by Adonis Amaya and a goal by Bradford Jamieson gave the squad the final 4-3 victory over D.C. United.

Both teams will now prepare for their continuation in USSDA league when they face Nomads SC on Saturday, December 15 in The Home Depot Center’s Field 7 at 12 p.m. (U18) and 2:30 p.m. (U16).